Thomas J. Brown

Website: www.alifelessordinary.com/

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Commented on To the anonymous gay teen who asked for help in a Boing Boing comment thread
I'm posting this a bit late, I know, but to the kid for whom this post was written, I totally support you (and everyone else in a similar predicament). Good luck. -)...
Commented on Amazing video of girl barely missing an out-of-control car
I'm with everyone else who disliked the guardian angel line....
Commented on Film decors by the Brothers Quay
Hyper-talented and awesomesauce barely begin to describe the supremely amazing talent of the Brothers Quay. I discovered them about a decade ago and immediately fell in love. Their stuff is haunting and creative, and their sets and props are rich...
Commented on License Agreement for a Public Park
Isn't this just an area release for a film shoot? Note how they refer to themselves as the "Producers." HSBC is probably shooting a commercial or something and needs to make sure they have permission to use the likeness of...
Commented on Watchclocks: an early device for controlling users
There's a little box in the stairwell of my building that I had heretofore wondered about. It's empty with a small hook inside and something about watchmen on the cover. Thanks for posting this, I can't wait to tell everyone...
Commented on Mapparium: walk-through globe
National Geographic has a photo of the globe being cleaned. In my opinion, it's worth the click-through to see a guy in a little seat at the end of a boom....
Commented on Paying for News: A Mega-Merger Thought Experiment
I'm surprised that no one else has pointed out that over 4 years ago, Cory posted about this. He was even talking about Dan Gillmor....
Commented on Big Tent Atheism
We often assume – at least at first – that what we like is what everyone else likes. Along those lines, I suspect a lot of theists assume that atheists are trying to do the same things they are – preaching...
Commented on Manhattan Project plutonium has been inside a rusting safe in a pit in WA since 1943
Well done, Brock, I was going to say the same thing. News like this always makes me glad I live only 3 hours away form Hanford. Now where are my iodine pills?...
Commented on Ukulele version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
@theboredom - I guess you've never seen this very fun Jake video....
Commented on Eric Joyner's new show of robot paintings
What a delightful tribute to Lewis Hine....
Commented on Steampunk city in Second Life: New Babbage
Ack, JETFX, you just beat me to it. -)...
Commented on Infrared LEDs make you invisible to CCTV cameras
This is the same basic idea I had about 10 years ago, but didn't have the necessary knowledge or resources to attempt (being in high school at the time). It's something I've always wanted to play with, and this is...
Commented on HOWTO Make a magic fireball (flaming oily rag) -- UPDATED
If this is done through compositing, someone get the editor a job in Hollywood! I don't disagree that doing this is probably stupid, but as a video professional, I seriously doubt that it was done via compositing. The way the...
Commented on Darth Vader tea-towel
It reminds me of Eddie Izzard's bit about the Death Star. "This one's wet. And this one's wet. And this one's wet. This one is wet, this one is wet, this one is wet, this one is wet, this one...
Commented on Japanese "melody roads" play tunes as you drive over them
I also thought of this years ago, without realizing that it had been done, of course....
Commented on 8-Bit Tie
I'm sad that it's a clip-on, but that didn't stop me from ordering one yesterday. Excuse me while I go buy a short-sleeved dress shirt....
Commented on How to filter out press releases from your email
Last year, I had to stop press releases from being sent via a contact form on a website I used to administer. I used the string "for immediate release" and that stopped 100% of them. So yes, it's outmoded, but...
Commented on Pratchett's Discworld: a reading-order guide
I agree with Charles. Read them in whatever order you like, but just be aware you could be setting yourself up for a let-down later on....
Commented on Terry Pratchett's "Making Money" -- economic comedy
It may sound paid, but I read Pratchett, and would probably say the same thing. I agree with Santos, I'll take the Nightwatch over the witches any day. Susan and Death are definite favorites. The wizards, Rincewind in particular, can...
Commented on Spiral-cut fried whole potato: Korean junk-food
I saw this on my Flickr screen saver a few days ago and immediately wanted one! It's funny to see it here. -)...
Commented on Fetish DVDs for men who like women who crush model train sets
I recall reading a story that I found on Digg about a guy who worked for a porn company. He said his boss' girlfriend only did one off, special order videos wherein she would act out fetishes for horny guys....

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Antinous / Moderator commented on To the anonymous gay teen who asked for help in a Boing Boing comment thread
I found it strange that anyone would think of appealing to a more religious figure in a case of religious zealotry. I used Islam as an example to contrast with the idea of a Christian pastor being helpful in the situation, which seems like an example of dominant discourse....
AirPillo commented on To the anonymous gay teen who asked for help in a Boing Boing comment thread
Frankly, you may just be projecting your prejudices. Here's something to think about: A person in this position may not be able to elegantly defend themselves against the oppressive will of their parents. They may, however, be able to find someone with solid religious education and understanding who would be sympathetic and supportive to them. This person could then be an ally in attempting to dissuage the parents from being so ham-fisted. If anyone is able to make a religious appeal to the parents to be less tyrannical and more nurturing, it would be someone of a position of authority...
joannaw commented on To the anonymous gay teen who asked for help in a Boing Boing comment thread
boing boing, i love you....
loraksus commented on To the anonymous gay teen who asked for help in a Boing Boing comment thread
Hey kid - "no gays in the christian youth groups"... LOL! So not true - your parents are simply ignorant. I've heard that it's about 10% of the population and that has held true (or the rate has been even higher) in every single group I've ever been associated with - no matter how religious, how "manly", whatever. Eventually, people come out. I'm 10 years out of high school and about 10% of the kids in my (horribly bigoted) Catholic middle / high school's "youth groups" turned out to be gay. Life might really suck right now - it might...
Roy Trumbull commented on Infrared LEDs make you invisible to CCTV cameras
There was a product made by 3M that was in the form of a screen that reflected light only on axis. Thus a talent working in front of a screen with a projection on it would appear to be in the image and studio lights wouldn't wash it out. Often wondered what became of that product. There is a very old circuit called a relaxation oscillator. It is what drives the blinking light in a smoke detector while drawing little battery current. Wonder how that would work with an LED?...

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